In general, what are the key characteristics of excellent writing? What are additional keys to excellent writing in social studies?
- Make a clear point
- Knowing that good writing doesn't HAVE to be LONG! - Backing up and suppoting your point - Thesis and main ideas - Academic Vocabulary Activity # 2: 15 keys to excellent (social studies) essay writing:
Be knowledgeable about your content This is the most important thing to start off your writing. You need to know what you're going to write about with what you have before actually starting.
Read the directions / prompt / question carefully Don't they mention this is every MCAS? This is really important because you may provide information that isn't correct or even needed.
Brainstorm & Outline
Have an appropriate title This tells the reader exactly what we're going to be talking about in our writing and if it's a good title it'll grab the reader's attention
Directly answer the question / respond to the prompt
Use a strong, clear thesis statementThis is the main idea, so if you thesis is strong it'll amke a big impact in your writing.
Prove your thesis statement throughout the essayIt reminds you to add supporting details. To every main idea there are supporting details to prove your idea.
Make sure your arguments are presented in an organized way You cannot just blab out a whole bunch of arguments you must presently them in a organized way so they are well understood.
Include evidence/examples and analysis of them
Include key terms, academic vocabulary, appropriate research/documents/sources I find this hard to do while I'm writing because I write down things as my ideas flow out, so this is something I'd go back and check for when I revisit and revise my writing.
Provide context
Acknowledge other POVs / opposing arguments (and disprove them, if possible) This would show both sides of the argument and get the reader even more interested because they will be thinking which side they agree with most.
Use correct grammar and spelling
Make sure the paragraphs and sentences flow together, that it’s a smooth read
Finish with something profoundIf you do this it will leave the reader thinking even after they're done reading.
Proofread and revise*
*bonus 16th key
I think the three points I highlighted are most important of the 16 keys to excellent essay writing. Notice that they include the beginning, middle, and end. Number 6 is the beginning where you start off very strong and help your reader understand what you're going to be takign about throughout your writing. Number 7 is the middle where you're adding supprting details to your main idea. It's the proof of why you think what you think. Number 15 is the end and also the most important in my opnion. When you have a piece of writing you never want your reader to get bored and lost interest, but in the end, you don't want them to stop thinking. You want them to keep wondering about your writing and even refer to it later so if you finish with something really good that will result in this. If you really think of it, it's a sandwich because the beginning and end are the buns and the middle is the meat. So all of that is necessary in a good writing piece.
Activity # 3: As a social studies writer, I have my strengths and weaknesses as a writer. My strengths are finding the thesis statement and supporting details. Most of the time it doesn't take me long to find the right thesis statement. I don't find it hard to find the main idea of a writing piece because if I read carefully and understand what I'm reading I can easily find one. Though sometimes finding the perfect thesis for me doesn't require me to think much becasue I know to look in the first-ish paragraph top know what everythign is about which is also the main idea which I make my thesis statement. What I struggle with is planning and revisiting my writing. I find it so hard to plan especially when there is limited time or when I have too many thoughts running through my head that i just need to write them down in my writing and not seperately in an organizer. After I finish writing I hate rereading my own writing and editing, I'd rather peer edit. I never find my writing as interesting to read and it's hard to find mistakes in it myself.
Spelling and grammer mistakes should be focused on when revising
Which parts of essay writing does the 8-9 essay incorporate? In other words, when you read the requirements for an 8-9 essay for this particular prompt, what are you reminded about excellent writing in general?
The 8 -9 rubric for the essay reminds me that I have to thoroughly study everything that I have learned in the school year because the prompt could be on any topic. You'll have to have a lot of prior knowledge to respond to the prompt. Thesis statements will make a big impact of the writing. The stronger, the better. Also you'll need to have many supporting details and ideas to support the thesis.You have to be well organized and plan you writing well.
What are the main differences between an 8-9 essay and a 5-7 essay?
I think 5-7 essays are more average with a good understanding understand and enough to pass, but extra effort is put into 8-9 essays. It is more of a challenge and requires much more thinking and perfection. It is made more interesting from a readers point of view.
Activity # 5:
I think I'd categorize this as an 8-9 eassy because of all the prior knowledge this person has and the many details you see. The thesis wasn't the best, but the rest was still well-written. The writer analyzes the three reasons for the United States victory and also talked about how what actions led to certain events at different times. I agree with the evaluation and like it says the thesis isn't clear and deep. There is a lot of historical information which detailed and organized.
Activity # 6:
Proper structure of a (5 paragraph) social studies essay
- Introductory Paragraph: Motivator
Thesis Statement
-First Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Second Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Third Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Concluding Paragraph: Reworded Thesis
Wrap-up
Leave them with something to think about
Essay Structure 1) Title– always have a title that you have created I feel like sometimes it's best to title the piece last becasue that's when you know exactly what you've written and what your title should really be about
2) Intro Paragraph:
Introduce the topic with a general topic sentence.
Include a year or time frame.
Provide context: explain key background and related info for the time period and topic.
Transition into a brief, general mention of the specific topic of the essay. The randomness would confuse the reader
Provide a Thesis Statement that clearly responds to the essay question or topic.
Make sure the sentences connect, that the paragraph flows. If it's choppy it's hard to understand and it's just not "pretty" enough to read
3) Body Paragraphs:
Break the essay into specific subtopics (which should have been mentioned in your thesis statement) Breaking things up and dividing it would be great with organization
Begin each body paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE that is basically a thesis statement for that paragraph’s subtopic These thesis are main ideas of the subtopics not to confuse them with the big thesis in the intro paragraph
Topic sentences should bridge the previous paragraph (may require only one word to make a bridge (e.g. “also”))
Follow general topic sentences with specific details, examples, evidence (from documents/research if applicable)
Include key terms, names, dates, events, and data (#s)
ANALYZE your evidence and examples - why are they important? what do they show? So what?! This is what the teacher would ask you like "So what?" "Why do I care?" and those questions have to be answered within the writing
PROVE YOUR THESIS throughout each paragraph Do that so that you don't get off topic
4) Conclusion Paragraph:
Summarize some of the most important information from the essay.
Acknowledge opposing arguments (and refute, if possible). So the arguments are in the body paragraphs and the acknowledgements are in the conclusion?
Restate your thesis in different words.
Explain why your topic is important in the big picture of history (so what?) and/or give a preview of what is or may be next to come...give your audience something strong to leave with
Activity # 7:
Write another brief paragraph reflection on your strengths and weaknesses as a social studies essay writer, especially taking into account the most recent information we have studied.
On my strengths and weaknesses, I feel I need to work on acknowleging the point of views and arguments that are needed the concluding paragraph. Also I think I need to create better subtopic thesis for the body paragraphs. Fom the most recent information that I have studied, I think that the people who grade and read these AP essays want to be entertained and want look foward to lookigng at them rather than thinking of it as work. They want something to remember from you and your writing that is why you want to end of your essay in a good manner.
7/19/11
Activity # 8:
What is a thesis statement?
- sentence or two that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay is going to be about
Why are thesis statements so important?
- it answers the reader's question "Why are you telling me this?" - gives the essay a direction and focus
What is the thesis statement used in that essay? What is your evaluation of that thesis statement?
- "A myriad political, diplomatic, and military advantages all eventually produced a republican experiment that would shake the balance of power for centuries." is the thesis.
- This thesis statement makes is pretty vague with not much detail, not that it's supposed to have a lot, but just enought that it it grabs the reader's attention.
Activity # 9:
Thesis Statements
A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:
a. What is my topic?
b. What argument am I prepared to make?
c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible?
d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
A compound sentence is when you combine two or more independent clauses, each of which provides a complete and separate thought which are joined by conjuctions.
The second thesis statement in #3 is better than the first because it's more thorough. Even though it's longer it gives the idea of what the whole essay is going to be about better than the first one.
Activity # 10:
Prompt A: Why were the American colonists successful in winning independence from the British in the late 18th century?
Choice 1: Aid from the French helped turn the tide of the American Revolution toward victory for the colonists. This, in addition to their previously held advantages of strong military leadership and homeland advantage, led the colonists to win the war and gain their independence.
Choice 2: In the late 18th century, after years of protesting unfair laws and many key battles, the American colonists won independence from their mother country of Great Britain.
Answer- Choice 2: I say this because it's more direct and to the point whereas choice 1 starts getting into too much detail which should actually be in the body paragraphs
Prompt B: In what ways was the abolition movement of 19th century America divided?
Choice 1: The abolition movement of 19th century America was divided in terms of both tactics and goals, as there were strong, differing opinions over how to most effectively make abolition occur and the process by which complete abolition should be sought.
Choice 2: Leading up to the Civil War, the abolition movement in America was divided, but ultimately remained united enough to push leaders of the country to end slavery forever.
Answer- Choice 1: I say this because it gives a direct focus to what the essay will be talking about further on while choice 2 is a detail and it kind of ends the story right there instead of having a flow that's not ending like choice 1.
Prompt C: To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidency benefit the United States of America?
Choice 1: Despite his record on treatment of Native Americans, Andrew Jackson’s presidency greatly benefited the U.S. due to his administration’s work on expanding voting rights and economic policies.
Choice 2: Andrew Jackson was the eighth president of the United States and known for being the symbol of Jacksonian Democracy.
Answer- Choice 1: Choice 2 has nothing to do with any benefit and it's not answering the question. Choice 1 answers the question knowing there there is more the writer has to say about this.
Activity # 11:
What is the best fast food restaurant operating today? There are many fast food chains operating today, but the best one is Mcdonalds. Since Mcdonalds is one of the oldest fast food chains in America it has garnered the respect and the tension of the fast-food loving American public.
Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English?
The United States should open it's doors to all immigrants regardless of their english speaking ablities because why should America be a hypocrite against it's own promotion of freedom rights' and oppurtunity. What are the reasons that a ratings system has been implemented for video games?
Videos games have become so violent and bloody these days that it's not okay for little children to see those graphics so they have implemented a rating system so that on every game it tells you what age group should play the game.
Why are there different age limits set on driver’s licenses (varies by state), voting (18), and alcohol use (21)? Different age requirements are set for each of these activities because all three require a different level of responsibilities, thinking, and decision-making. Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school. Teenagers drop out of school due to the lack of family support, a negative circle of friends, and having no motivation to study.
Activity # 12:
As teens become more like adults they want to feel like they have rights too. Driving,voting and and drinking are things that people do all the time, but not all these things are acceptable at all ages. Teens don't know exactly what they're doing so having age limits on certain actions is necessary.Getting your driver's license, voting and alcohol usage is permitted and made legal after certain ages. They set them apart by a couple years because if all were allowed at the same time many people wouldn't be able to handle it and be responsible about it.
Would you want your teen to be able to do theset three things once they turn one certain age? Wouldn't you want these things to be seperated so that they'll have a chance you take full advantage of what they have at the moment? If everything was allowed to them then teens will take advantage of what they have in a way that they shouldn't be using it. Teens want to do everything as early as possible because they're curious and want to try new things, but it is vital for some things to not be approved until a secure age. It's important for them to learn that they cannot take these things for granted.
Activity # 13:
Learn the commonly misspelled words: their vs. there vs. they're, are vs. our, led vs. lead, etc...and then pay attention to these in your work! Confusing Words.com!might be a helpful site for you.
Don't use don't: DO NOT use conjunctions (don't, can't, won't, etc). Use do not, can not, will not, etc.
Use ACADEMIC LANGUAGE: always use key terms AND words like significant, important, aspect, factor, etc. instead of words like big, thing, etc. and use the vocabulary of your topic, including key terms.
Learn to write mostly in compound sentences, they are usually required in order to write thoughtfully.
Become adept at using words and phrases such as: because, however, though, including, along with, for example, similar to, different than, etc...which help create compound sentences and good arguments.
Avoid absolutes. Try not to use the words such as never, always, all, none, etc. Instead, use words like most, some, few, almost all, many, etc.
Don't use "etc." Instead use "and others" or "and many more" or something similar.
Use the past tense. Start in the past tense. Stay in the past tense. (You may need to write in another tense, but the key is to not jump around among tenses).
Call historical figures by their full name once and then by their last name. Abraham Lincoln should be discussed as Abraham Lincoln once and then called Lincoln after that.
Call Americans Americans. Don't call Americans "us" or "we".
The United States is a country. Americans are people. A country is "it" whereas a people is "they."
Don't use "I" or "In my opinion" or "The two topics I am choosing are _". Just write what you would write after those items.
Learn the difference between "between" and "among." Between is for two items, among is for more than two.
Every time you make a general point, support it with at least one example or piece of evidence.
Recognize (and refute, if possible) at least one argument that opposes the one(s) you are making.
1.President Obama has led The United States since being inaugurated in 2009 and he hopes to be reelected so that he can lead the country beyond 2012. There are many critics of President Obama, but their arguments are often based on assumptions, not facts.
2. We do not see Obama as the person he was before anymore.
3. A big aspect of the becoming president was getting a good cabinet meaning getting a good group for the House of Representatives.
4. Obama is seen as a great president in some eyes, but in my eyes I feel he's not even trying anymore.
5. I think Obama's efforts haven't shown results because he making the right decisions slowly and is not doing this job hastly.
6. Only some people think Obama is doing his job right as a president.
7. Obama promised to take care of our economy crisis, help out with health care, help with schools and much more.
8. He made all these promises and now he has shown nothing.
9. Barack Obama made promises to do so much and critics have said that Obama hasn't done anything.
10. Americans had different views on Obama.
11. The United States gave birth to the name Americans. It is a place where they have their freedom.
12. Obama made many good and bad decisions.
13. Between 2008 and 2010, Obama has affected the voting for the House of Representatives elections. Among Obama's years of presidency, he has been through a lot becasue of what people have been saying about him.
14. Obama has made several mistakes according to certain citizens and one of them are that he hasn't done anything major to help with the economy crisis.
15. Obama has mad several mistakes, but there are some good things he has done like helping out with health care.
Activity # 14:
What are the different viewpoints on Barack Obama? What are the major reasons for these different viewpoints?
Thesis statement: Citizens of the United States are critiquing Obama's strategies and he has put some negative and positive images of himself out there to the public while citizens are judging him. 1st Paragraph: Introduction
- elections and citizens different views on candidates
- qualities of a good president: good leader- listening to citizens and making careful decisions
bad leader- not trying and making decisions hastily or too slowly
- thesis: Citizens of the United States are critiquing Obama's strategies and looking at what results he set out and then finally viewing him as a good or bad president. 2nd Paragraph: Newcoming President Obama - Obama elected after all the voting and debating
- Document 1: Hope Poster - promise portrayed
- Document 2: Inaugural Speech - going to tackle the issues we currently have
- showed how good of a leader he was going to be
- slowly plans work out and citizens will see results
3rd Paragraph: Reactions
- Many didn't see much results so they started the insults and hate
- Didn't think he was a good president
- Document 3: "two modes"- make agonizingly slow decisions; make pretty speeches - not doing his job right
- Document 4: election results map of 2008 and 2010 for the house of representatives - effects of before and after Obama was elected
- Obama was a democrat and more people voted Republican after he was elected
- Document 5: "Are you better off?" - don't need him because he's really not doing anything
4th Paragraph: Attempts to Make Actions
- Document 6: Raid on Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan by U.S. special forces
- trying to make a change
- making an action to help
- Document 7: Judging leaders
- atrributes and results
- he made attributes, but didn't show results
- examples of who did both: Lincoln, Washington, Franklin Roosevelt
Conclusion
- going to be hated, but citizens will have to deal with him until his terms are over
- his aim is to help the nation so maybe not in his years of presidency will he change anything , but will help future presidents will the issues
- giving ideas and a focus on what should be done in later generations
- like any presidents even Obama will be viewed different ways
7/18/11
Activity # 1:
Opener:
In general, what are the key characteristics of excellent writing? What are additional keys to excellent writing in social studies?
- Make a clear point
- Knowing that good writing doesn't HAVE to be LONG!- Backing up and suppoting your point
- Thesis and main ideas
- Academic Vocabulary
Activity # 2:
15 keys to excellent (social studies) essay writing:
- Be knowledgeable about your content This is the most important thing to start off your writing. You need to know what you're going to write about with what you have before actually starting.
- Read the directions / prompt / question carefully Don't they mention this is every MCAS? This is really important because you may provide information that isn't correct or even needed.
- Brainstorm & Outline
- Have an appropriate title This tells the reader exactly what we're going to be talking about in our writing and if it's a good title it'll grab the reader's attention
- Directly answer the question / respond to the prompt
- Use a strong, clear thesis statement This is the main idea, so if you thesis is strong it'll amke a big impact in your writing.
- Prove your thesis statement throughout the essay It reminds you to add supporting details. To every main idea there are supporting details to prove your idea.
- Make sure your arguments are presented in an organized way You cannot just blab out a whole bunch of arguments you must presently them in a organized way so they are well understood.
- Include evidence/examples and analysis of them
- Include key terms, academic vocabulary, appropriate research/documents/sources I find this hard to do while I'm writing because I write down things as my ideas flow out, so this is something I'd go back and check for when I revisit and revise my writing.
- Provide context
- Acknowledge other POVs / opposing arguments (and disprove them, if possible) This would show both sides of the argument and get the reader even more interested because they will be thinking which side they agree with most.
- Use correct grammar and spelling
- Make sure the paragraphs and sentences flow together, that it’s a smooth read
- Finish with something profound If you do this it will leave the reader thinking even after they're done reading.
- Proofread and revise*
*bonus 16th keyI think the three points I highlighted are most important of the 16 keys to excellent essay writing. Notice that they include the beginning, middle, and end. Number 6 is the beginning where you start off very strong and help your reader understand what you're going to be takign about throughout your writing. Number 7 is the middle where you're adding supprting details to your main idea. It's the proof of why you think what you think. Number 15 is the end and also the most important in my opnion. When you have a piece of writing you never want your reader to get bored and lost interest, but in the end, you don't want them to stop thinking. You want them to keep wondering about your writing and even refer to it later so if you finish with something really good that will result in this. If you really think of it, it's a sandwich because the beginning and end are the buns and the middle is the meat. So all of that is necessary in a good writing piece.
Activity # 3:
As a social studies writer, I have my strengths and weaknesses as a writer. My strengths are finding the thesis statement and supporting details. Most of the time it doesn't take me long to find the right thesis statement. I don't find it hard to find the main idea of a writing piece because if I read carefully and understand what I'm reading I can easily find one. Though sometimes finding the perfect thesis for me doesn't require me to think much becasue I know to look in the first-ish paragraph top know what everythign is about which is also the main idea which I make my thesis statement. What I struggle with is planning and revisiting my writing. I find it so hard to plan especially when there is limited time or when I have too many thoughts running through my head that i just need to write them down in my writing and not seperately in an organizer. After I finish writing I hate rereading my own writing and editing, I'd rather peer edit. I never find my writing as interesting to read and it's hard to find mistakes in it myself.
Activity # 4:
AP United States History 2010 Scoring Guidelines
Be able to analyze content
Know the subject top to bottom
How to provide a good thesis statement
Plan and organize
Be able to give evidence
Use of prior knowledge
Know what time period and dates are being propsed
Needs to answer all parts of the prompt
Spelling and grammer mistakes should be focused on when revising
Which parts of essay writing does the 8-9 essay incorporate? In other words, when you read the requirements for an 8-9 essay for this particular prompt, what are you reminded about excellent writing in general?
The 8 -9 rubric for the essay reminds me that I have to thoroughly study everything that I have learned in the school year because the prompt could be on any topic. You'll have to have a lot of prior knowledge to respond to the prompt. Thesis statements will make a big impact of the writing. The stronger, the better. Also you'll need to have many supporting details and ideas to support the thesis.You have to be well organized and plan you writing well.
What are the main differences between an 8-9 essay and a 5-7 essay?
I think 5-7 essays are more average with a good understanding understand and enough to pass, but extra effort is put into 8-9 essays. It is more of a challenge and requires much more thinking and perfection. It is made more interesting from a readers point of view.
Activity # 5:
I think I'd categorize this as an 8-9 eassy because of all the prior knowledge this person has and the many details you see. The thesis wasn't the best, but the rest was still well-written. The writer analyzes the three reasons for the United States victory and also talked about how what actions led to certain events at different times. I agree with the evaluation and like it says the thesis isn't clear and deep. There is a lot of historical information which detailed and organized.
Activity # 6:
Proper structure of a (5 paragraph) social studies essay- Introductory Paragraph: Motivator
Thesis Statement
-First Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Second Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Third Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence
3 Supporting Details
-Concluding Paragraph: Reworded Thesis
Wrap-up
Leave them with something to think about
Essay Structure
1) Title– always have a title that you have created I feel like sometimes it's best to title the piece last becasue that's when you know exactly what you've written and what your title should really be about
2) Intro Paragraph:
3) Body Paragraphs:
4) Conclusion Paragraph:
Activity # 7:
Write another brief paragraph reflection on your strengths and weaknesses as a social studies essay writer, especially taking into account the most recent information we have studied.
On my strengths and weaknesses, I feel I need to work on acknowleging the point of views and arguments that are needed the concluding paragraph. Also I think I need to create better subtopic thesis for the body paragraphs. Fom the most recent information that I have studied, I think that the people who grade and read these AP essays want to be entertained and want look foward to lookigng at them rather than thinking of it as work. They want something to remember from you and your writing that is why you want to end of your essay in a good manner.7/19/11
Activity # 8:
What is a thesis statement?
- sentence or two that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay is going to be aboutWhy are thesis statements so important?
- it answers the reader's question "Why are you telling me this?"- gives the essay a direction and focus
What is the thesis statement used in that essay? What is your evaluation of that thesis statement?
- "A myriad political, diplomatic, and military advantages all eventually produced a republican experiment that would shake the balance of power for centuries." is the thesis.
- This thesis statement makes is pretty vague with not much detail, not that it's supposed to have a lot, but just enought that it it grabs the reader's attention.
Activity # 9:
Thesis Statements- A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
- It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
- Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
- To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:
a. What is my topic?b. What argument am I prepared to make?
c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible?
d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
A compound sentence is when you combine two or more independent clauses, each of which provides a complete and separate thought which are joined by conjuctions.
The second thesis statement in #3 is better than the first because it's more thorough. Even though it's longer it gives the idea of what the whole essay is going to be about better than the first one.
Activity # 10:
Prompt A: Why were the American colonists successful in winning independence from the British in the late 18th century?
Choice 1: Aid from the French helped turn the tide of the American Revolution toward victory for the colonists. This, in addition to their previously held advantages of strong military leadership and homeland advantage, led the colonists to win the war and gain their independence.
Choice 2: In the late 18th century, after years of protesting unfair laws and many key battles, the American colonists won independence from their mother country of Great Britain.
Answer- Choice 2: I say this because it's more direct and to the point whereas choice 1 starts getting into too much detail which should actually be in the body paragraphs
Prompt B: In what ways was the abolition movement of 19th century America divided?
Choice 1: The abolition movement of 19th century America was divided in terms of both tactics and goals, as there were strong, differing opinions over how to most effectively make abolition occur and the process by which complete abolition should be sought.
Choice 2: Leading up to the Civil War, the abolition movement in America was divided, but ultimately remained united enough to push leaders of the country to end slavery forever.
Answer- Choice 1: I say this because it gives a direct focus to what the essay will be talking about further on while choice 2 is a detail and it kind of ends the story right there instead of having a flow that's not ending like choice 1.
Prompt C: To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidency benefit the United States of America?
Choice 1: Despite his record on treatment of Native Americans, Andrew Jackson’s presidency greatly benefited the U.S. due to his administration’s work on expanding voting rights and economic policies.
Choice 2: Andrew Jackson was the eighth president of the United States and known for being the symbol of Jacksonian Democracy.
Answer- Choice 1: Choice 2 has nothing to do with any benefit and it's not answering the question. Choice 1 answers the question knowing there there is more the writer has to say about this.
Activity # 11:
What is the best fast food restaurant operating today?There are many fast food chains operating today, but the best one is Mcdonalds. Since Mcdonalds is one of the oldest fast food chains in America it has garnered the respect and the tension of the fast-food loving American public.
Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English?
The United States should open it's doors to all immigrants regardless of their english speaking ablities because why should America be a hypocrite against it's own promotion of freedom rights' and oppurtunity.What are the reasons that a ratings system has been implemented for video games?
Videos games have become so violent and bloody these days that it's not okay for little children to see those graphics so they have implemented a rating system so that on every game it tells you what age group should play the game.
Why are there different age limits set on driver’s licenses (varies by state), voting (18), and alcohol use (21)?Different age requirements are set for each of these activities because all three require a different level of responsibilities, thinking, and decision-making.
Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school.
Teenagers drop out of school due to the lack of family support, a negative circle of friends, and having no motivation to study.
Activity # 12:
As teens become more like adults they want to feel like they have rights too. Driving,voting and and drinking are things that people do all the time, but not all these things are acceptable at all ages. Teens don't know exactly what they're doing so having age limits on certain actions is necessary.Getting your driver's license, voting and alcohol usage is permitted and made legal after certain ages. They set them apart by a couple years because if all were allowed at the same time many people wouldn't be able to handle it and be responsible about it.
Would you want your teen to be able to do theset three things once they turn one certain age? Wouldn't you want these things to be seperated so that they'll have a chance you take full advantage of what they have at the moment? If everything was allowed to them then teens will take advantage of what they have in a way that they shouldn't be using it. Teens want to do everything as early as possible because they're curious and want to try new things, but it is vital for some things to not be approved until a secure age. It's important for them to learn that they cannot take these things for granted.
Activity # 13:
1.President Obama has led The United States since being inaugurated in 2009 and he hopes to be reelected so that he can lead the country beyond 2012. There are many critics of President Obama, but their arguments are often based on assumptions, not facts.
2. We do not see Obama as the person he was before anymore.
3. A big aspect of the becoming president was getting a good cabinet meaning getting a good group for the House of Representatives.
4. Obama is seen as a great president in some eyes, but in my eyes I feel he's not even trying anymore.
5. I think Obama's efforts haven't shown results because he making the right decisions slowly and is not doing this job hastly.
6. Only some people think Obama is doing his job right as a president.
7. Obama promised to take care of our economy crisis, help out with health care, help with schools and much more.
8. He made all these promises and now he has shown nothing.
9. Barack Obama made promises to do so much and critics have said that Obama hasn't done anything.
10. Americans had different views on Obama.
11. The United States gave birth to the name Americans. It is a place where they have their freedom.
12. Obama made many good and bad decisions.
13. Between 2008 and 2010, Obama has affected the voting for the House of Representatives elections. Among Obama's years of presidency, he has been through a lot becasue of what people have been saying about him.
14. Obama has made several mistakes according to certain citizens and one of them are that he hasn't done anything major to help with the economy crisis.
15. Obama has mad several mistakes, but there are some good things he has done like helping out with health care.
Activity # 14:
What are the different viewpoints on Barack Obama? What are the major reasons for these different viewpoints?Thesis statement: Citizens of the United States are critiquing Obama's strategies and he has put some negative and positive images of himself out there to the public while citizens are judging him.
1st Paragraph: Introduction
- elections and citizens different views on candidates
- qualities of a good president: good leader- listening to citizens and making careful decisions
bad leader- not trying and making decisions hastily or too slowly
- thesis: Citizens of the United States are critiquing Obama's strategies and looking at what results he set out and then finally viewing him as a good or bad president.
2nd Paragraph: Newcoming President Obama
- Obama elected after all the voting and debating
- Document 1: Hope Poster - promise portrayed
- Document 2: Inaugural Speech - going to tackle the issues we currently have
- showed how good of a leader he was going to be
- slowly plans work out and citizens will see results
3rd Paragraph: Reactions
- Many didn't see much results so they started the insults and hate
- Didn't think he was a good president
- Document 3: "two modes"- make agonizingly slow decisions; make pretty speeches - not doing his job right
- Document 4: election results map of 2008 and 2010 for the house of representatives - effects of before and after Obama was elected
- Obama was a democrat and more people voted Republican after he was elected
- Document 5: "Are you better off?" - don't need him because he's really not doing anything
4th Paragraph: Attempts to Make Actions
- Document 6: Raid on Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan by U.S. special forces
- trying to make a change
- making an action to help
- Document 7: Judging leaders
- atrributes and results
- he made attributes, but didn't show results
- examples of who did both: Lincoln, Washington, Franklin Roosevelt
Conclusion
- going to be hated, but citizens will have to deal with him until his terms are over
- his aim is to help the nation so maybe not in his years of presidency will he change anything , but will help future presidents will the issues
- giving ideas and a focus on what should be done in later generations
- like any presidents even Obama will be viewed different ways
Activity # 15: